Supreme Court rebukes High Court judge over Pak comment on Karnataka locality

During a recent hearing on a landlord-tenant dispute, Justice Srishananda called a Muslim-majority area in Bengaluru "Pakistan" and made a misogynistic remark involving a woman advocate. 

In Short

• Karnataka judge called Muslim-majority area in Bengaluru 'Pakistan'
• Chief Justice Chandrachud stresses the need for judicial decorum
• Supreme Court seeks report from Karnataka High Court

The Supreme Court on Friday took note of a controversial comment by a Karnataka High Court judge during a recent hearing and has sought a report from the state's Chief Justice.

Taking note of viral videos where Justice Vedavyasachar Srishananda can be heard calling a Muslim-majority area in Bengaluru “Pakistan”, a five-judge Supreme Court bench led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud emphasised the need for maintaining judicial decorum.

During a recent hearing on a landlord-tenant dispute, Justice Srishananda called a Muslim-majority area in Bengaluru "Pakistan" and made a misogynistic remark involving a woman advocate.

A five-judge bench, led by Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and comprising Justices S Khanna, BR Gavai, S Kant, and H Roy, emphasised the necessity of establishing clear guidelines for constitutional court judges concerning their remarks during court proceedings.

The bench stated that as social media is actively monitoring and amplifying courtroom proceedings, it is urgent to ensure that judicial remarks align with the decorum expected in courts of law.

"Attention has been drawn to media reports of the comments made by Justice...of Karnataka High Court during the court proceedings. We request the Karnataka High Court to submit a report after seeking instructions from the Chief Justice of the high court," Chief Justice Chandrachud stated.

Videos of Justice Srishananda have gone viral on social media. In one clip, the judge can be seen telling a woman advocate that she appears to know a great deal about the opposing party, suggesting she might even be able to identify the colour of their undergarments.

In another clip, the judge can be heard calling a Muslim-dominated locality in Bengaluru as "Pakistan".